Emerald Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Emerald Gemstone Facts and History
Emerald is a precious gemstone that is a member of the beryl mineral family. The name “Emerald” comes from a Persian word “smaragdus,” which particularly refers to the word “green gem.” This fascinating stone’s intense green color is due to traces of chromium and vanadium, while its bluish hue is caused by traces of iron. It contains a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on Mohs scale, signifying good to fair level of toughness.
Emeralds were mined in Ancient Egypt as early as 1500 BCE, and from there, Emeralds spread throughout antiquity. The pharaohs and high priests were often buried with Emeralds around their necks as a symbol of eternal youth, as the Egyptians believed for centuries that Emeralds possessed magical properties. These Emerald mines of Egypt were exploited for centuries by the Egyptians, then by the Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs.
However, such trade routes were shut down for good when the Spanish conquistadors found huge Emerald deposits in the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries AD. The Spanish conquistadors brought back to Europe a lot of gold and precious stones, the Emeralds being the most beautiful and sought-after jewels.
Today, the best places to find Emerald are in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia, with Columbia being the major producer.
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Emerald Gemstone Uses
Emeralds have been treasured for centuries and have been used for jewelry and adornment by many different cultures throughout history.
During the Middle Ages, Emeralds were often used for religious objects, such as crosses and reliquaries. They were also used by royalty and nobility for jewelry and adornment. For the indigenous people of Mesoamerica, Emeralds are used for ceremonials and religious practices.
On the other hand, Arab, Hindu, and Spanish doctors have used the Emerald for hundreds of years to treat infections, dysentery, and to get rid of poisons. Many people thought that these precious stones could keep souls safe from evil.
Aside from their use as decorative stones, Emeralds have also been used in various industries, including electronics and optics. Due to the presence of chromium and vanadium, this makes Emerald ideal for use in lasers and other optical devices.
Currently, Emeralds are still highly prized and are often used in high-end jewelry, as well as in crystal healing and alternative medicinal practices.
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Emerald Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Historically, Emerald is believed to be a symbol of rebirth, giving its owner foresight, good luck, and youth. In a metaphysical sense, Emerald is said to open the heart chakra and make someone feel better. It gives ideas, balance, knowledge, and patience.
The deep green color of Emeralds is often associated with growth and renewal, making them a popular symbol of spring and new beginnings. They are also thought to promote personal growth, spiritual growth, and abundance.
Emeralds are believed to have a protective energy that can help ward off negative energy and promote harmony and balance in relationships. In some, Emeralds are associated with wisdom and insight, and believed to help enhance intuition and psychic abilities. They are sometimes called the “stone of prophecy” and thought to promote spiritual awareness and enlightenment.
In alternative medicine, Emeralds are believed to have healing properties that can benefit the physical, emotional, and spiritual body. They are thought to help with issues such as anxiety, depression, and digestive problems, and often used in crystal healing and other holistic practices.
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Emerald Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Emerald Gemstones come in a variety of shapes and forms, each with their own unique symbolism and meaning. For instance, round or oval cut Emeralds are often associated with femininity and thought to promote emotional healing, compassion, and intuition, while square or rectangular cut Emeralds are often associated with masculinity and thought to promote strength, power, and leadership.
Moreover, the Emerald cut, which is a popular cut for Emeralds, is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and luxury, believed to promote clarity, insight, and wisdom.
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Emerald Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Emerald is a precious gemstone with a rich history that spans thousands of years. It is frequently associated with fertility, love, protection, and spiritual enlightenment. For example, in Ancient Egypt, Emeralds are believed to symbolize eternal youth and rebirth. The ancient Greeks and Romans also valued Emeralds for their beauty and healing properties, associating it with the goddess Venus and was believed to enhance fertility and ward off evil spirits. In Hindu culture, it was believed to represent motherly love and help people to be more sensitive, patient, and harmonious.
Moreover, Emeralds were associated with royalty and the Church during the Middle Ages. They were believed to have protective properties and often worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and authority. In Islamic culture, such stones were highly valued and associated with paradise, believed to bring good fortune, happiness, and protection.
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Emerald Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
When Emeralds are combined with other gems, a lot of thought goes into what it means and what it symbolizes. The most common combinations are with diamond, ruby, and hessonite.
Emerald, when paired with ruby, may bring good fortune and luxurious lifestyle to its wearer since both are considered to be “royal” gemstones. When paired with diamond, it is believed to be beneficial for health because it maintains physical vitality, prevents liver diseases, and can even fix brain problems.
Lastly, Emerald and hessonite together are like the planets Mercury and Rahu. Such a combination signifies blessings such as high intelligence, humor, and the ability of thinking.
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Emerald Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Emerald is the birthstone for May and the zodiac signs Taurus and Gemini, although better suited with the former sign.
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Emerald Gemstone in Dreams
Apart from containing rich symbolism, dreams add to that by giving them different meanings. Giving someone an Emerald in a dream means you are giving them luck, but that person will never help you, even if you are in a bad situation. Whereas dreaming of receiving one indicates conspiracy. Since an Emerald is fragile enough to break, this could mean that someone is planning something bad for you.
Moreover, if you dream that your partner is wearing an Emerald, it means that he or she is attracted to someone who is much wealthier than you. If you dream that you break an Emerald, it means that you are probably invested in something you know won’t work.
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Emerald Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
In different times and places, people have different ideas about what the Emerald meant. Some people believe that Emeralds worn as talismans can bring wealth, power, and the ability to speak well. There are even claims that the gems made people smarter and improved memories. Its most valuable ability might have been the ability to grant wearers and owners foresight.
Other sources said that Emeralds could cut through illusions and spells to show the truth, including whether or not a lover’s oath was true or false. Some people thought that it could also stop lust.
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Emerald Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
In mythologies, Emeralds contain various stories and beliefs about their magical powers and meaning. In ancient Greek, they associated Emeralds with the goddess Aphrodite, who was the goddess of love and beauty. It was believed that wearing Emeralds would enhance one’s beauty and attract love. People say that in Ancient Rome, Nero watched gladiator fights through a large, clear Emerald because the color made him feel calm.
In Hindu mythology, Emeralds are linked to the planet Mercury, and it is thought that they have magical powers. Some people think that Emeralds can protect the person who wears them from evil spirits and bad energy. They are also thought to make people wiser, smarter, and more creative. In medieval Europe, Emeralds were believed to have healing powers. They were used to cure a variety of ailments, including eye diseases and infertility.
Moreover, the Incas of South America believed that Emeralds were sacred stones that held the power of the gods. They were used in religious ceremonies and thought to bring good fortune to those who possessed them.
